Cariboo by Cranium
around $17 at Target.com
This is hands-down the favorite game in our household - and has been since Nick was about a year old. Back then, as now, he loved putting the key in the holes and looking for the balls. (Note: This is not a game for mouthers, as the balls are potentially chokeable!) Now we are actually able to play the game almost as described in the rules.
The rules:
Children choose a card that has a color, number, shape, or letter on it. They find a door with a corresponding picture and open it using the key. The players will find balls underneath some of the doors, which they put into the "tumbling tidepool". Once all six balls have been found, the treasure chest opens. There are two levels of play: numbers 1-4 and letters A, B, C for younger players; numbers 1-10 and the full alphabet for older players.
Our variation:
We play only with the color and shape cards. We take turns, but whenever we find a ball, we drop it right back into the gameboard. This has two advantages: it keeps the chance of finding a ball high, and it keeps gameplay going indefinitely.
Skills:
- color, shape, number, and letter recognition
- fine motor skills
- turn taking
The Good:
- engages children
- good method for practicing concepts
- it's not your ordinary board game
- kids of different levels can play together
The Bad:
- the pictures inside the shapes can be hard to recognize
Posts
This is an outstanding blog, thank you!
ReplyDeleteLiam LOVES this game and I owe that thanks to you! He now has learned how to cheat, looking at an angle to see where the balls are, and then turned cards until he finds the card that goes with the box that has the ball. I guess he's still matching!! :)
ReplyDeleteWell, it's great Liam is developing his problem-solving skills! He's developing game-playing strategy. :)
ReplyDelete